He’s back…and this time, he’s going into the WWE Hall of Fame. Eric Bischoff, the only man to ever beat Vince McMahon at his own game for any significant period of time, is the latest inductee announced for the Hall’s 2021 class. He joins Molly Holly (alongside the 2020 class, which was unable to be formally inducted last year as a result of the coronavirus).
Eric Bischoff joined World Championship Wrestling in 1991, and in a few short years turned it from an afterthought to professional wrestling’s premier brand. Bischoff took Vince McMahon’s juggernaut Monday Night Raw on head to head with Monday Nitro, a show that was live every week in contrast to Raw‘s pre-taped shows of the time.
The signings of Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in 1996 led to the formation of the New World Order, which kick-started what became known as the Attitude Era and changed the pro wrestling landscape forever. However, following repeated mismanagement in WCW, Bischoff’s role as WCW President was eliminated. WCW folded in 2001, and following an unsuccessful purchase attempt by Bischoff, was sold to the rival World Wrestling Federation (now WWE).
Shockingly Eric Bischoff would join his former arch-nemesis when he was revealed as the General Manager of WWE Monday Night Raw in 2002. He would stay at the company until 2007, and has made sporadic appearances since. He also worked for Total Nonstop Action wrestling from 2010-2014, and very briefly led WWE’s SmackDown creative team in 2019.
Interestingly, Eric Bischoff has appeared on AEW television multiple times, as recently as two weeks ago, asking a question during the Inner Circle’s “media scrum”.
Love him or hate him, Eric Bischoff is one of the most influential players in pro wrestling history, and an unforgettable on-screen personality. Congratulations to Easy E for taking his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
The WWE Hall of Fame classes of 2020 and 2021 will be inducted Tuesday, April 6, streaming exclusively on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.
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